Kansas City Remodeling - KC Remodel News » home improvement

How Much To Spend Remodeling Your Kansas City Home

Kansas City Remodeling — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:34:33 +0000

It is no secret that remodeling your Kansas City home will increase its value and function. However, you need to proceed with caution, as it is very easy to spend too much money on a home renovation project – and there’s no promise that you’ll be able to recoup the cash when you are ready to sell.

How much should you spend on a Kansas City home remodel project? It is important to look at some key factors that will help you make this decision.

Determine the areas of your home that need the most improvement

To get the most bang for your buck, you can focus on simple, yet long lasting repairs that will give you the highest returns when you sell your house. The rooms that give the best bang for the buck are often bathrooms and the kitchen. Newly renovated cooking areas, countertops and cabinets will attract the homebuyers and add credibility to a higher asking price than the comps.

Consider home values in the neighborhood

Most home buyers will typically pay more for homes that are move-in ready, but typically not more than fair market value. So be sure that you don’t over do it with your remodeling compared to homes in your neighborhood.

Determine how much it will cost

You should get estimates from 2 or 3 reputable remodeling contractors in Kansas City. Always add about 10 percent to cover changes that you will inevitably make along the way so that you have a more accurate price.

Have your house inspected before you start

It is important to have the inspector look at things like the heating and air system, and do complete termite inspection. Before you spend money on remodeling, it is always a good idea to make sure you don’t have anything major wrong structurally or otherwise with your home.

Consult your real estate agent

Your agent will be able to give you “comps” from your neighborhood. In other words what have comparable homes sold for that are near yours. Discuss the improvements you plan to make and share the anticipated cost with them to get thier professional advice on your ideas.

Before you start any major renovation on your house, try to determine if it makes sense to your wallet and time investment required. A well thought out plan will pay off when it comes time to sell!

Kansas City Home Improvement Green Options

Kansas City Remodeling — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:38:24 +0000

As we all know energy prices continue to soar so more and more people are trying to find ways to save money. There is also a growing network of people that want to lower the impact they are having on the Earth. There are actually several home improvement projects the Kansas City homeowner can consider that will accomplish both of these goals.

Here are some simple savers…

If the budget is tight and you don’t want to get a loan to help with your Kansas City home improvement projects there are a few things that cost little but have a nice impact on lowering your energy bills. For example, you can install additional attic insulation that can lower your heating and cooling bills up to 20 percent. The same thing could be done in your basement or crawlspace. A glass storm door installed oustside your main entry door is another energy saver. Of course installing some compact fluorescent bulbs is a very quick and simple way to lower your energy bills.

While the energy bill for your heating and electric are the commonly thought of bills, don’t forget about your water bill. You can save up to $32 a year by installing a simple high efficiency showerhead in your showers.

Larger Projects To Save Even More

Replacement windows – This can be a huge energy saver! If you hae old drafty windows they are literally sucking the heat or cold out of your home. New windows have better seals and most have at least two layers of glass, some have 3 layers of glass in a sealed unit.

Tankless water heater – The average household spends about 20 percent of its money used for energy each year on heating water. The beauty of a tankless system is that it heats the water instantly, so you don’t have to heat large amounts of water to just sit in the tank. - Plus you NEVER run out of hot water!

Having an energy efficient home in Kansas City, with a bit of remodeling, can be as expensive or affordable as you choose. Even doing the little things can help you reduce your energ consumption, and reduce the impact you and your family have on the planet.

Is it time to paint my Kansas City Home?

Kansas City Remodeling — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:39:43 +0000

How do you know when it is time to paint the exterior of your Kansas City home? Painting the outside of your home can improve the overall look and add value. However, to the average homeowner in Kansas City it can be difficult to know when it is time.

You can always call upon a qualified Kansas City painter, but there are a few simple things you can look into right now.

Peeling and Cracking
In Kansas City our environment is pretty hard on the outside of our homes. The extreme heat and cold – and quick temperature changes – all contribute to peeling and cracking. Most of the time you will notice these problems on the trim board of your home first.

Cracked Sealants
You should inspect the sealants (caulk) around your trim boards and windows yearly. These are easy to redo yourself or have a pro come out and do it for you.

Faded Colors
If you notice your paint looking dull and faded, this can be a good sign it is time to repaint. If you have a well painted home that was properly prepared, modern paints should last 10 to 15 years. The problem is that many new homes are barely painted to industry standards – and the coating will fail much quicker.

As you evaluate the paint on your home, never be afraid to call upon a reputable Kansas City painting contractor. These companies see all types of situations and are typically well qualified to answer your questions and let you know if it is time to spend the bucks to repaint your house.

Kansas City Replacement Windows – $1500 Tax Credit!

Kansas City Remodeling — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:32:03 +0000

Remember the huge stimulus bill of 2009? Well, there is a way for you to actually get a chunk of that cash – by replacing your old drafty windows with new replacement windows in Kansas City.

Here is how I understand the requirements (be sure and review them yourself) – New replacement windows MUST have a 0.30 U-Factor (value) or less AND a 0.30 SHGC to qualify.

Your tax credit is 30% of the cost to replace the windows up to $1,500 maximum.

So here is a quick example:
If you spend $6,000 you would receive the full $1,500 tax credit. The windows would need to be intalled between December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2010 to the tax credit from the 2009 Stimulus Bill.

It is up to you, the homeowner, to keep the records that prove the windows meet the requirements. The IRS will have forms (of course they will) for homeowners to fill out to receive the credit.

So if you are looking for replacement windows in Kansas City – now is probably a good time to make the decision. I would advise you talk to both the window contractor and your tax professional before making the purchase to be sure the windows you are purchasing meet the requirements.